Zhou Haimei looked indifferent, spreading her hands, "I don't know what the people above are thinking, or if they want to take this opportunity to crack down on civilian organizations. The notice has been issued, and who knows what those cunning people are thinking."
Xu An shook his head, "Then why still hold the Extreme Cold Competition?"
"It's all a tactic. It allows them to select talented contestants while simultaneously fighting the beast tide. Neither side is delayed."
Xu An mused that it must have been some brilliant mind who came up with this idea, truly making the best use of everything.
"However," Zhou Haimei paused, observing Xu An's expression, "did Qin Chuan come looking for you just now?"
Xu An nodded indifferently, meeting Zhou Haimei's gaze without flinching. His eyes were open and honest.
"He said some inexplicable things, but I didn't want to listen, so I sent him away."
Zhou Haimei sighed inwardly, unsure whether to commend Xu An for being sensible or to pity Qin Chuan for his misfortune in falling for someone as carefree as Xu An.
"Although what Qin Chuan did was not very gentlemanly, do you plan to cut ties with him from now on?"
Xu An looked at Zhou Haimei, puzzled, as if he didn't understand, "Why would I ignore him? Qin Chuan has such good connections; it would be a waste not to use them."
"......"
Zhou Haimei was momentarily speechless, not expecting Xu An to be so utterly candid. She silently mourned for Qin Chuan.
"But tell me more about this Extreme Cold Competition. I'm interested."
Zhou Haimei smiled, as if to say, "I knew it."
"Let me explain the competition rules first. This time, participants are required to form small teams, and points will be accumulated based on the number of monsters hunted. Each monster killed earns one point, and the team with the highest score at the end will be the champion."
"What's the reward for the champion?" Xu An was still quite interested in such things.
"Permanent residency in a unit on the second floor, ten million contribution points, and eligibility for a military rank in the auxiliary forces."
Upon hearing this, Xu An's eyes lit up, "Permanent residency?"
Zhou Haimei nodded.
Due to the lighthouse's unique nature, all housing within it was communal. Even the previous Expeditionary Competition hadn't offered housing as a reward.
As a native of China, the ingrained obsession with property was undeniable.
Upon hearing about permanent residency, Xu An was almost instantly captivated.
Permanent residency essentially meant ownership.
"But what's this military rank about? What kind of title can one get?"
Xu An looked at Zhou Haimei's enigmatic smile, a preposterous idea dawning on him.
"Major?"
"Colonel."
Xu An: "!!!"
"Has the lighthouse gone mad? Or is the world ending tomorrow?"
Zhou Haimei's voice, cool and distant, replied, "I'm afraid it already has."
In short, whether the upper echelons of the lighthouse were insane or not was unknown, but the title of colonel had indeed sent the mercenary world into a frenzy.
At this moment, it wasn't just Xu An discussing the Extreme Cold Competition.
Elsewhere, Su Xiao and Luo Luo, gathered together, were also discussing the event.
"Are we going?"
"Definitely. Even if for no other reason, the permanent housing rights alone are enough to attract us."
"But the beast tide is very dangerous."
Luo Luo still showed some concern. Neither of their families lacked money. Compared to Su Xiao's obsession with housing, she was more drawn to the title of colonel.
Even if it was an honorary position, such a title would bring immeasurable benefits to her family.
She understood this, and Su Xiao certainly did, but all the mercenaries in the Tri-Zone understood it too.
The Tri-Zone, adjacent to the auction house, was a peculiar area located on the first floor. Initially, it was inhabited by scattered individuals, but due to the exorbitant housing prices and the proximity to the lighthouse's operating engines, not many people resided there.
Later, to attract more residents, a red-light district was specifically established there.
All sorts of novel snacks, bars, and other entertainment venues flocked to the Tri-Zone.
At night, amidst the neon lights and cacophonous music, the engine noise, once considered a disturbance, became the background to this bustling nightlife.
Of course, such a decadent lifestyle wasn't accessible to everyone.
The regular patrons were primarily mercenaries.
They were people who lived life on the edge, with careers that were often described as "three years without a sale, but one sale lasts for three years."
Moreover, those who frequented the fringes of society often craved excitement.
In contrast to the peace and quiet of other areas, they actually preferred the lively and bustling atmosphere of the Tri-Zone.
As mercenaries increasingly gathered there, the auction house was eventually relocated to this district.
It gradually transformed into a clandestine "lawless zone," predominantly populated by mercenaries.
However, out of respect for the enforcement teams, they typically engaged in minor skirmishes and dared not cause any fatalities.
After all, no matter how formidable they were, they were still facing real soldiers with live ammunition.
Within the Tri-Zone, different factions existed, with undercurrents of conflict.
The people Xu An had encountered at the auction house were mostly from prominent families within the Tri-Zone.
"The officials are clearly using this beast tide to weaken civilian forces. Tch, so petty."
Su Xiao scoffed. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that this was a trap, a trap that people had no choice but to fall into.
"Who knows what the higher-ups are smoking." Luo Luo lounged with her legs crossed, playing a game on a console that hadn't been updated in years.
"But I did get some news."
"What?" Luo Luo seemed apathetic.
"Word is they've found an antibody that can resist zombies."
Luo Luo, startled, caused her in-game character to be killed. She immediately threw down the game controller.
"Holy hell, what did you say?"
"Zombie virus antibodies. It's just a rumor for now, and the specifics are unclear. Could you please let go of my arm?"
Luo Luo clung to Su Xiao like a sloth.
"If this is true, does that mean we won't have to fear zombies anymore?"
Su Xiao rolled her eyes, shattering Luo Luo's pleasant fantasy.
"Don't get your hopes up. Have you forgotten what we found in the zombie brains? I have a bad feeling about this. It feels like something is about to happen. I fear that as soon as we develop a vaccine, the zombies will mutate overnight."
Luo Luo, as if recalling something, also adopted a serious expression.
"Have there been any changes in your body data recently?"
Su Xiao had always been transparent with Luo Luo about this. "Yes, my overall physical capabilities are improving."
Luo Luo murmured, "How long has it been, and you're already stronger?"
Both nodded with solemn expressions.
It seemed that enhanced physical ability wasn't necessarily a good thing.